Discover Churaumi Aquarium
Motobu, Okinawa, October 24, 2023
Churaumi Aquarium, located in Motobu, Okinawa, Japan, is one of the largest and most famous aquariums in the world. Part of the Ocean Expo Park, it offers visitors an in-depth look into the diverse marine life found in the waters surrounding Okinawa and beyond.
In Okinawan language, chura means “beautiful”, and umi means “ocean” in Japanese. It is a massive area and we were not able to explore every single park of the park and aquarium but in this blog, we want to share our experience spending half a day visiting this destination.
Our adventure began early in the morning. We drove about 85 km from our airbnb in Naha, which took us about two and a half hour to reach the aquarium. It was a long journey but it was a pleasant drive. The road was perfect and the view was beautiful.
Arrival and First Impressions
Upon arrival at Churaumi Aquarium, we were greeted by an impressive statue of a giant whale shark at the entrance. This iconic figure immediately captured our attention and excitement. It’s a great photo op with the “Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” sign behind it.
Fourth Floor
The 4th floor is a gathering place and it’s mostly outdoors. It’s a great place to meet up with your party. There are restroom available before your start your tour of the aquarium.
The Aquarium is basically situated in a middle of a huge park called Ocean Expo Park. So there are a lot of beautiful gardens and open areas to explore. The Ocean Expo park also offers a lot of program like Flower Guided Tour and Arboretum Guided Tour. Best to check their latest program guide from their website to see what’s available during your time of visit.
After passing the whale shark sculpture, you will encounter the Uminchu (“fisherman” in the Okinawan dialect) Gate, where you can enjoy a view of the ocean and the Island. When we were there, there was a Pokemon collab event.
From here, we took an elevator down to the 3rd floor, offering us a breathtaking view of the beautiful ocean.
Third Floor
The entrace of the Aquarium is located in the 3rd floor. This is where you can purchase your tickets to enter. The 3rd floor exhibit coral reefs and tropical fish.
The 3rd floor exhibit The Coral Sea Tank, which holds various species of coral, colorful tropical fish, and spiny lobsters.
It is quite a sight to see approximately 440 colonies of 80 different kinds of reef-building coral. Many of the corals in the Coral Sea tank have been growing for almost 15 years, since the opening of the aquarium.
You will also see these super cute garden eels in this exhibition. It lives in colonies on sandy bottoms at the outer edge of coral reefs where there are strong currents. The lower half of its body is buried in the sand. The upper half sticks out of the sand with its head facing the current so that it can feed on any zooplankton that floats by.
Second Floor
The second floor introduces the premier attraction, The Kuroshio Sea Tanks, and The Shark Research Lab, where you can learn about the life and habits of sharks.
This is a gigantic, 7,500m3 tank that can be viewed both through a large acrylic panel and from the Aqua Room.
Watching a majestic creatures such as a whale sharks and manta rays gliding through the water, something that can only behold in Churaumi aquarium.
Depending on the season, you might be able to see the Kuroshio Sea Tank from above the water. The time varies each season, so it’s recommended to check in their website on admission time if you’re interested to experience this.
During our visit, we took a break at Cafe Ocean Blue, located at the second floor. This cafe is more than just a place to grab a bite. It’s an integral part of the aquarium experience.
It costed 500 Yen to enter (not including food price), and you can seat for 40 minutes to enjoy your food and beverages.
It offers a diverse menu from a light snacks and desserts to more substantial meal. The highlights were the curry meal inspired by the marine theme.
We tried the Churaumi Seafood Curry and the Blue Chicken Curry as our mean meal. They came out super cute with the blue rice in the shape of the whale sharks with blue curry sauce. For drinks, we tried the Chura Tea Whale Shark. It’s a butterfly pea flower tea which amkes the color of the tea blue to match the ocean theme with the whale shark tea bag chilling around the cup. It’s so adorable. We also got a few cookies in the shape of garden eels and whale shark.
To be honest, eventhough the meal presentation is super cute, the taste is pretty underwhelming. It’s not a terrible food, buttaste wise, there’s nothing special about it. It’s great for photos though.
But the highlights of this cafe, the reason why we’re willing to wait for half an hour and pay to get in. it’s worth it becuase it allows you to sit by the tall glass panel where you can see Kuroshio Sea Tank in private
Sitting here while enjoying your food with your family is a surreal experience. I was overtaken by the calmness of the sea life. Imagine eating your meal while a group of manta rays glides by, schools of fish swim past, and a whale shark drops by to say hello. It’s both peaceful and epic, creating a unique ambiance that is hard to find anywhere else. The combination of tranquility and awe-inspiring marine life makes it a perfect setting for a memorable dining experience.
This experience is not just about the food; it’s about the connection with nature and the serene environment. It’s a touch of romance that would be perfect for a date. The gentle lighting and the mesmerizing view of the underwater world set a dreamy atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for couples looking to enjoy a special moment together. The extraordinary backdrop of marine life adds a magical touch to any dining occasion, turning a simple meal into an unforgettable event.
Café Ocean Blue is not just a café; it’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression. The combination of fun food experience, exceptional service, and a breathtaking view makes it a must-visit for anyone spending time at the aquarium. If you find yourself at Churaumi Aquarium, make sure to set aside some time to relax and enjoy a meal at Café Ocean Blue. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
First Floor
In the first floor, you enter a journey into a deep sea. It’s a mysterious world with approximately 150 speces of deep sea marine creatures that are rarely seen.
Unfortunately we didn’t take too many photos from this floor as the area get really dark to protect the species. You just gotta come visit to see them for yourself.
The gift shop can also be found on the first floor. Blue Manta is the name of the Okinawa souvernir shop, and you gonna love it. It’s full of really cute stuff. Japan really knows how to make adorable merchandise that makes people throw money at them. We also can not resist and bought a few stuff from here.
Esplanade
There are still plenty of things to do and explore outside, around Ocean Expo Park. Right across from the aquarium are the Sea Turtle Pool and Manatee Pool, where you can view these creatures from both above and below water. I took a photo of the turtles, but unfortunately, I forgot to snap a picture of the manatees (Sorry about that! I guess more reasons for another visit.)
To the right is the Esplanade. It’s a stretch of walkways by the Alameda Seashore, surrounded by the natural beauty of Okinawa. You can enjoy a relaxing stroll with a view of the turqoise blue sea. There are stairways leading down to the beach if you feel like getting closer to the water.
If you keep walking about 10 minutes towards the right of the Esplanade, you’ll reach Emerald Beach. This stunning beach boasts emerald sea water against pure white sand. We were told that it’s the only beach in Japan located within a lagoon. The beach was named one of the “Top 100 Bathing Beaches” by the Japanese Ministry of Environment in 2006. Unfortunately, we couldn’t spend much time there becuase we were short on time and need to catch the dolphin show at the Dolphin Lagoon.
Dolphin Lagoon
Normally, the dolphin show is hosted at Okichan Theater, but it was closed for repairs when we were there. So, temporarily, the dolphins show was being hosted at the Dolphin Lagoon.
We arrived a bit late, so there was already a crowd, but it wasn’t overly packed. There were no chairs available at this spot, so people just found a patch of grass to sit on, picnic-style. The grassy area is tiered, so even if you’re further back, you can still get a good view of the dolphin show.
We chosed to sit at the back, a bit away from the crowds. Watching the dolpshins jump around in harmony and perform their tricks with the backdrop of Le Island was really mesmerizing and made for a fantastic evening of family time. It’s an unforgettable memory.
The Conclusion
Our visit to Churaumi Aquarium was an unforgettable experience that left us in awe of the beauty and diversity of marine life. From the mesmerizing Kuroshio Sea tank, home to majestic whale sharks and graceful manta rays, to the colorful and vibrant displays of coral reefs and tropical fish, the aquarium offered a fascinating glimpse into the underwater world.
The well-designed exhibits, interactive displays, and educational information provided a deeper understanding of Okinawa’s unique marine ecosystem. The dolphin show at Dolphin Lagoon, set against the stunning backdrop of Le Island, capped off a wonderful day of exploration and learning. Churaumi Aquarium is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Okinawa, offering an inspiring and educational journey into the wonders of the ocean.
If you find yourself in Okinawa, Churaumi Aquarium is a must-visit destination. It’s a place where you can connect with the wonders of the ocean, learn about marine conservation, and create unforgettable memories. The journey to this magnificent aquarium is well worth the effort, and we left with a deeper appreciation for the incredible marine life that inhabits our oceans.
